The Northumberland Manufacturers’ Association (NMA) is bringing an international workforce strategist with experience spanning 40 industries and four continents to Cobourg in October.
Also described as an author and international speaker, Jeff Butler, hailing from Dallas, Texas, will deliver the afternoon keynote presentation at the Annual Manufacturing Conference later this year, on Oct. 24, at the Cobourg Community Centre (CCC), the NMA has announced.
NMA executive director Darla Price tells us more.
In partnership with Canuck Industrial Group, the conference is set to bring some 250 manufacturing delegates from across Ontario together at the CCC.
Price tells us what it’s all about.
“The purpose of the conference is to strengthen our industry’s knowledge, skills and create synergies across the province – and it’s happening right here in Cobourg,” explains Price.
Attendees will have a chance to meet with industry peers, connect with exhibitors, and learn from the top leaders.
Butler will be sharing his expertise with guests on how to build an effective multi-generational workplace.
According to a bio provided in a recent release, the author and workplace strategist explores human behaviour within the working world.
“His experience spans over 40 industries in four continents on how different cultures and employees interact with each other. He studies common threads of behaviour in industries, (from) IT professionals, (to) underground utility workers, (to) police officers (and) clothing retail chains,” reads the release.
It also states Butler has worked with companies like Google, Amazon, John Deere and Coldwell Banker.
“As a researcher and practitioner, he also runs a consulting company and a tech company, TrinityFix, where he is able to test his ideas in different workplace environments. His ideas have made it to TEDx twice; (he’s) appeared in dozens of media outlets, including two books on human behavior.
“Currently, he lives in Dallas, Texas as an out-of-place Californian.”
The conference will be a full-day affair – 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – at the CCC. More information, tickets info, the schedule, speakers, et cetera, is available via www.themanufacturingconference.ca.
Another new feature this year is a workforce strategies panel discussion, with leading manufacturing employers and economic development teams from across Ontario – people from Cornwall to North Bay, notes Price.
Among some of the strategies and expertise shared/areas of focus throughout the conference will include recruitment and retention of employees.
This year’s conference also includes the traditional favourites – relevant and “trendy topic” workshops, catered breakfast and lunch and the supplier tradeshow/vendors.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
